Tel Aviv

Rona Avissar

26/02/2006

During November 2002 a salvage excavation was conducted in Tel Aviv, next to the intersection of Kaplan Street and Derekh Petah Tiqwa (License No. B-264/02; map ref. NIG 18027–9/66442–5; OIG 13027–9/16442–5), after the exposure of tombs by the Antiquities Authority. The excavation, on behalf of Bar-IlanUniversity, was directed by R. Avissar, assisted by Y. Nagar (physical anthropology).

Twelve natural pits of various sizes, cut into the kurkar bedrock, were excavated. Three pits (A–C) contained human bones, which were subsequently re-interred by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Two adult individuals, 20–30 and 40–50 years of age, based on the dental attrition, were discovered in Pit A (1.8 × 2.5 m). Most of the bones were scattered, except for some bones of one deceased that were articulated (Fig. 1). A jug and a juglet, dating to Early Bronze Age I, as well as funerary offerings placed next to the deceased, including stone beads, a bone bead, a carnelian bead and bronze knife and pin, were found in this tomb (Fig. 2).

Each of Pits B (1.8 × 2.5 m) and C (0.8 × 1.8 m) contained several scattered bones that belonged to an adult individual; neither age nor gender could be determined. Pit C was damaged by the construction of a modern retaining wall. Archaeological finds were not discovered in the other nine pits. Based on the finds, it seems the tombs were located along the northern boundary of an Early Bronze Age cemetery, which was excavated by E.C.M van den Brink and E. Braun (HA-ESI 117).